Mahatma Gandhi’s 71st Death Anniversary: Who is Nathuram Godse? The man who assassinated Bappu

Nathuram Godse was a member of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). He is primarily known as the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948. He was hanged at the age of 39 on November 15, 1949.

Mahatma Gandhi was the epitome of an Independent India. It was his bravery, vigour and non-violence stance that played an essential role in assisting the Indians to free themselves from the shackles of the British Raj. However, post attaining Independence, a shocking turn of events saw the assassination of Gandhi. But who was the man behind it? It was none other than Nathuram Vinayak Godse. The now historical incident took place on January 30, 1948, in New Delhi. So, who was Nathuram Vinayak Godse? Let's find out.

Nathuram Vinayakrao Godse was born on May 19, 1910, and for the first few years of his life, Godse's parents brought him up as a girl. After his younger sibling was born, he was treated as a boy. Ironically, he was a fan of Gandhi and respected him deeply while still in school. After dropping out of his high school, Nathuram became a member of RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), a right-wing Hindu organisation as well as Hindu Mahasabha. He also had his own organisation which he gave the name of Hindu Rashtra dal. Agrani was a Marathi newspaper kickstarted by Nathuram for the Hindu Mahasabha. In 1946, due to the difference in opinions over the issues of the India partition, Godse promptly left the RSS. He cited the reason being the softening of RSS' stance.

He was completely against Gandhi's ideologies and thought his interests were anti-national. He also felt that Gandhi purposely sabotaged Hindu interests.

Godse died on November 15, 1949, after being sentenced to death for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. He was just 39 when he was hanged to death at Ambala Central Jail.